North America's Top 50+ Beaches
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Goochs Beach // USA
Wesley Fryer One of the best beaches in the US according to US News, Gooch's Beach lies between the rocky promontory known as Oaks Neck and the mouth of the Kennebunk River in southern Maine. Curving gently around its Atlantic frontage, the beach's waters are partially protected by breakwaters at either end, while its rich sand is backed by beachside properties.
While only… read more »
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Playa Delfines // Mexico
jc_castaneda Playa Delfines is a quiet sandy beach towards the south end of Cancun's Hotel Zone and about 10 miles from downtown Cancun. The word "Delfines" means "dolphins" and these playful creatures can often be seen leaping and swimming in pods just offshore.
The beach is on the famous white sandy spit that separates the calm Nichupte Lagoon on one side from… read more »
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South Beach // USA
William Waterway Beautiful South Beach (also known as Katama Beach) is a free public beach in the Katama area of Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. Washed by the Atlantic waves, the 3-mile beach is on a barrier island with rolling surf on one side and calm pond waters on the other. The surf is good for body surfing but youngsters are safer swimming… read more »
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Carmel Beach // USA
© Blake Carroll Located in the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in central California's Monterey County, Carmel Beach is formed of a stunning arc of pale sand that runs for close to a mile in length. Edged by vegetation to one side and clear Pacific waters to the other, it looks almost tropical in appearance.
Despite slightly chilly water temperatures, which top out at around 61°F/16°C,… read more »
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San Clemente State Beach // USA
Bennilover Found at the southern end of the city of San Clemente in California, San Clemente State Beach is a favourite with water sports enthusiasts. Set below attractive cliffs, its light-coloured sands continue for some over a mile in length, although much of its breadth can be lost with the high tide.
Family-friendly and accessible to those with reduced mobility it is… read more »
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Salt Creek Beach // USA
bfick Orange County's Salt Creek Beach is named after the stream which runs across the northern part of the beach during wetter times of year. Backed by scrub, the beach consists of a wide ribbon of sand paired with the lawns of Bluff Park, which is almost three hectares in size. It has a good number of picnic tables for anyone… read more »
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Marshall's Beach // USA
© Frank Schulenburg Located in San Francisco's Presidio park, which encloses an area of historic military installations at the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marshall's Beach is the closest beach to this icon of California and the United States.
Offering exemplary views of the bridge, as well as of sunsets over Helmet Rock and the Pacific Ocean, its rich golden-brown sands are… read more »
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Quarry Beach // USA
Marcin Wichary Quarry Beach is one of two main beaches on Angel Island, which sits in San Francisco Bay, not far from Alcatraz Island. Found on the island's east coast its fine sands lie approximately two miles from the island's ferry terminal, beyond the historic Immigration Station and visitor centre which you'll likely be visiting in any case if heading to Angel… read more »
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Longnook Beach // USA
Ollie Jones One of Cape Cod's top nudist beaches, Longnook Beach is located in the Massachusetts town of Truro. Although situated in one of the most popular oceanside resorts on the American east coast, it remains relatively quiet because it can only be accessed via a steep path down a high sand dune.
Formed of a narrow band of light-coloured sand, the… read more »
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Red Sand Beach // USA
Laila Goubran As the name suggests Red Sand beach is adorned with sand that is more than just a little red in hue. In fact the little cove is something of a festival of colors; the red sand, deep blue of the ocean, black of the rocks and green of the ironwood trees.
The redness of the beach is provided by the iron… read more »
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Slaughterhouse Beach // USA
dronepicr The charmingly named Slaughterhouse beach is located on the northwestern tip of Maui between DT Fleming Beach and Honolua Bay. Despite that rather unappealing name this is in fact one of the prettiest little beaches on the island.
The name "Slaughterhouse beach" comes from the fact that there used to be a slaughterhouse above the beach. The Honolua Ranch slaughterhouse along with a tanning/storage… read more »
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Malibu Lagoon State Beach // USA
Sergei Gussev Running for several hundred metres in total, Malibu Lagoon State Beach is looked after by California State Parks. It lies at the heart of Malibu, at the mouth of a lagoon as it connects with the Pacific Ocean. Its sands are ringed by the attractive Santa Monica Mountains.
The stretch of sand that runs from the lagoon to the historic pier… read more »
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Lone Ranch Beach // USA
Joe Mabel Lone Ranch Beach lies roughly ten kilometres north of Brookings in southern Oregon, and is part of the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor. A fantastic area of coastline for nature lovers and those seeking a little tranquillity, the sea stacks here are a favourite with photographers too.
When it comes to food, its best to bring a picnic, and then… read more »
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Ocean Beach // USA
K Danko Stretching for over three miles between Cliff House and Fort Funston is Ocean Beach. The beach runs along much of San Francisco's westerly suburb, the aptly named Sunset. Despite this Ocean Beach still feels pretty wild, particularly towards the southern end where it is backed by dunes.
Like the rest of San Francisco's beaches the weather can be somewhat hit… read more »
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Calf Pasture Beach // USA
Jllm06 Calf Pasture Beach is located roughly midway between New Haven and the New York state line. Facing south into Long Island Sound, the beach is officially open from May until October of each year. During these months lifeguards are on duty, while visitors can use facilities including public bathrooms.
Some of the earliest records for Calf Pasture Beach are from the… read more »
